Dividable luggage

ABSTRACT

Dividable luggage comprising two similar luggage pieces that can be reversibly attached to each other at one edge by a flexible hinge in the manner of a book, or can be separated, or fully joined to form a larger, more nearly cubic, piece of unitary luggage, with a flat top for supporting an additional bag, according to the convenience of the traveler. In the fully joined form, the closures of both luggage pieces are hidden, and an optional cart is provided integral to one or both luggage pieces with feet for supporting the upright luggage and additional straps for ease of handling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to luggage, and more particularly toluggage that can be separated into parts, each part functioningindependently as luggage.

BACKGROUND

Since Sep. 11, 2001, the luggage requirements of common carriers such asairlines, and particularly international airlines, have become morestringent and more diverse. This trend accelerated in 2006. Differentcommon carriers often have mutually incompatible weight and sizerestrictions for checked and carry-on luggage and these requirementschange frequently.

Since August 2006, certain items, such as liquid toiletries, drinks, andmedicines, which were previously permitted in the cabins of aircraft,must now be checked. These requirements have become particularlyrestrictive for international flights. Passengers may be unaware ofthese restrictions, necessitating rapid repacking at the check-incounter.

In order to adapt luggage to these requirements, and also to adaptluggage to the many transitions inherent in traveling, such as changingairlines for different legs of a journey, traveling on trains andshuttle busses, climbing stairs, loading rental cars, and the like,various approaches are known. Modular luggage is known in which luggagecan be joined in various configurations, for example several differentsized pieces of luggage can be attached to a base luggage comprising acart. Dresser luggage is also known in which smaller pieces of luggageare adapted to be enclosed within a larger base luggage. It is alsoknown to use expanders or gussets to adjust the capacity of luggage tomeet changing circumstances, or to use zippers or straps to connectsmaller bags to a larger bag.

Information relevant to attempts to address the problem of adaptingluggage to travelers' changing needs can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.1,510,815; 2,536,169; 3,726,329; 4,081,061; and U.S. patent applicationPublication Nos. U.S. 2005/0145458A1 and U.S. 2005/0077136A1. However,each of these references suffers from one or more of the followingdisadvantages:

the outer surface of the assembled modular luggage is not uniform in itsdimensions, lacks an even surface, and includes projections and cavitiesthat increase the likelihood of damage during transit and make theluggage awkward to handle in airports, on trains and busses, and onescalators;

the assembled modular luggage do not provide a flat, top surface forplacing or securing smaller pieces of luggage when traversing airports,trains, and the like;

the modular luggage may comprise a container piece that functions onlyto contain other luggage, and which requires transportation even whenempty;

federal regulations require checked luggage to be readily accessible forsecurity checks and certain modular designs render inspection difficult;

the modular luggage is not easily reassembled. Thus, if the modular bagis separated for inspection, the bags may not be rejoined, increasingthe risk that unlabelled bags may become separated and lost;

the luggage includes a large base luggage to which other bags can beattached, the large base being too bulky and cumbersome to be carried inthe cabin of a commercial aircraft, through a train, or onto a shuttlebus;

the closures of the luggage are visible and exposed during transit,increasing the risk of theft;

certain modular luggage cannot be conveniently accessed while stillattached to other luggage;

the bags comprising modular luggage may have a reduced luggage capacitywhen attached, reducing their usefulness;

the luggage is not readily adaptable to differing requirements amongcommon carriers as to weight and size because the separated and combinedmodular bags are not all capable of being checked onto a commercialaircraft and, when attached, may not meet airline restrictions regardingoverall dimensions;

the disclosed luggage may not contain fully separated compartments.Toiletries and other liquids are now mostly banned from aircraft cabins.Their storage with clothes in a single compartment increases the risk ofdamage from leakage; and

modular luggage may not be both readily separable and evenly balancedwith respect to size and weight of its component parts. Thus, it may beimpractical to quickly separate the luggage into smaller parts, forexample to ascend stairs, and the parts may be unbalanced as to size andweight, producing an awkward and uneven weight distribution for handcarrying;

modular luggage may become unbalanced when assembled due to the variousshapes and sizes of its component bags, making it unstable in an uprightposition when standing in line or riding an escalator;

modular luggage may have an irregular shape that is unwieldy and undulywide, and does not provide a luggage volume commensurate with its width;

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for luggage that: can bechecked in both its separated and assembled forms with minimal risk ofdamage to the luggage during handling; can be easily accessed byauthorities for inspection; contains compartments that are notdiminished in capacity when joined; deters casual theft of its contentsin its assembled form; comprises compartments that can be readilyaccessed even when the luggage is assembled; contains distinctcompartments capable of fully separating liquids and clothes; providesbalanced and even luggage when separated for ease of hand carriage; isstable when free-standing in an upright position; can be convenientlyand easily maneuvered through the aisles of trains, busses, and thelike; provides a flat top, which may be used to support and transportother luggage when walking through airports and traversing trains andshuttles; and permits the user to readily adapt to the different luggagerequirements of different carriers with respect to weight, size andnumber of bags permitted.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to dividable luggage that satisfiesthe aforementioned needs and more. In a first embodiment, the dividableluggage of the present invention comprises two luggage pieces, which canfunction in three distinct and useful modes and which can be readilyinterconverted. The modes are (a) fully assembled, (b) hinginglyconnected, and (c) separated. Each luggage piece comprises a pair ofsides, a pair of ends, a top, a bottom, and a handle. The tops of thetwo pieces have four edges and the same shape and size. Each top furthercomprises a closure for accessing the interior of the luggage piece.First attachment means are independently provided at a first edge ofeach luggage piece for detachably attaching the first edges of the twoluggage pieces. When attached by these means, the two luggage pieces arein hinging relation to one another and their interiors can beconveniently accessed while still partly connected in the manner of abook. The top of each luggage piece further comprises second attachmentmeans at a second, third and fourth edge for detachably attaching thetops of the first and second luggage pieces, thereby holding the twotops in a coplanar relation adjacent to each other, or face-to-face.

In a second embodiment, the dividable luggage of the present inventionoptionally further comprises a cart comprising set of wheels and ahandle, preferably a retractable handle or strap handle, disposed on oneof the two luggage pieces, for pulling that luggage piece or thedividable luggage.

In a third embodiment, the dividable luggage comprises first attachmentmeans that are flaps attached to the first edges of the luggage piecetops. The flaps comprise fasteners, such as zippers, snaps, eyelets andlaces, Velcro, locking straps, a combination of these, or the like, forattaching the two flaps to each other.

In a fourth embodiment, the handles of the two luggage pieces of thedividable luggage are positioned to be adjacent in the fully assembleddividable luggage and are provided with a third attachment means, suchas snaps, Velcro, or a flap, for joining the two handles for ease ofhandling.

In a fifth embodiment, the two luggage pieces are identical in size andshape, whereby a user hand-carrying the separated luggage pieces isbenefited by carrying a balanced load, and the assembled luggageexhibits a high degree of stability when standing on end.

In a sixth embodiment, the maximum dimensions of the two luggage piecesare selected to conform to applicable common carrier regulations inorder to increase the ways in which the luggage pieces can be used.

In a seventh embodiment, one of the luggage pieces is a foldable luggagepiece such as, for example, a garment bag, wherein the packed luggagepiece in its folded state is capable of being attached to anotherluggage piece to form the dividable luggage of the present invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide dividable luggage that canbe used in three modes for maximum flexibility in adapting to thediffering requirements of common carriers, and for ease in transporting.

It is a further object of the invention to provide dividable luggagethat a user can quickly and easily adapt to the changing conditions of ajourney such as escalators, stairs, aircraft, rental automobiles,shuttle busses, hotels, queuing, and the like.

It is a further object of the invention to provide dividable luggagewith improved security against theft of contents in its attached state,while still providing adequate access for inspection by authorizedgovernment agencies.

It is a further object of the invention to provide dividable luggagecomprising two fully separated compartments, whereby toiletries andother liquids can be separated from clothing to minimize risk of damageto the clothing, yet still be transported in the same luggage.

It is a further object of the invention to provide dividable luggagethat can be checked as one piece to meet the requirements of aninternational air carrier, and later separated to meet the weightrequirements of a different carrier.

It is a further object of the invention to provide dividable luggagecomprising separate compartments that can hold business items such assamples, catalogs and the like, separate from personal belongings,whereby one luggage piece can be used when visiting a client or tradeshow, and the two luggage pieces can be joined for travel.

It is a further object of the invention to provide luggage comprising aflat top surface capable of securely supporting one or more smallerpieces of luggage.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide dividable luggagein which the separated luggage pieces are ergonomically balanced,increasing the comfort and safety of a user when divided, and onestable, easy to handle, piece when joined as dividable luggage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the dividable luggageaccording to the present invention in hinging relation.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in coplanaradjacent relation.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the dividable luggageaccording to the present invention further comprising a cart.

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a detached luggage piece of theembodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows isometric views of several first attachment means.

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the dividable luggageaccording to the present invention further comprising two carts.

FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a foldable luggagepiece of a dividable luggage according to the present invention in theform of a garment bag. A. unfolded state, B. folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein.However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one that isskilled in the art to variously employ the present invention invirtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like characteristics andfeatures of the present invention are shown in the various figures.

The term “hinging relation” as used herein means that two luggagepieces, secured along a common edge of their tops, directly orindirectly, can open with respect to each other with a range of motionencompassing at least a closed configuration in which the tops arecoplanar and adjacent and a flat configuration in which the tops arecoplanar and nonadjacent.

The term “coplanar adjacent relation” as used herein means that twoluggage pieces are secured at their tops along three edges, the luggagepieces oriented so that the tops are adjacent and coplanar.

The term “hand luggage” refers to luggage of a size permitted to becarried in the cabin of a commercial air carrier.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the dividable luggage ofthe present invention 100 in which the first 102 and second luggagepiece 104 are in a hinging relation. Each luggage piece 102, 104comprises a pair of sides 106, a pair of ends 108, a top 110, a bottom112, and a handle 114. The top 114 comprises a first edge 116 and threeother edges 118, 120, 122 and further comprises a closure 124. A firstattachment means 126 for hinging is shown at first edge 116. Secondattachment means 134 is shown at the second 118, third 120, and fourth122 edges of each top 100.

Each luggage piece 102, 104 has a rectangular shape and can beconstructed of any suitably durable material such as leather, a wovennatural or artificial fabric, or a non-woven artificial fabric, andpreferably ballistic nylon. Optionally, each luggage piece can furthercomprise one or more inserts, gussets, or molded pieces to preserveshape and provide reinforcement. In preferred embodiments comprising oneor two carts, inserts or molded pieces are provided to stiffen andreinforce the portion of the luggage piece adjacent the wheels and feet,and between the wheels and feet, to provide a stable base for thewheels. The joints between a side, end, top, and bottom can also bereinforced with optional welting.

The size of each luggage piece is not particularly limited. Preferably,the size is chosen to be in accordance with prevailing common carrierrequirements. In a preferred present embodiment, length, width, andheight of the assembled dividable luggage are selected so that combinedlength, width, and height is less than 62 inches. Optionally, thelength, width, and height of the assembled dividable luggage can beselected so that dividable luggage is approximately cubic. It should benoted that a cubic configuration provides, among rectilinear luggage,the maximum volume of luggage space for a given combined length, width,and height. An approximately cubic configuration is inherently stableand resists tipping over, and provides a stable upper surface forattaching or supporting items of hand luggage, such as when pulling theluggage through airports and traversing trains and shuttles. In anotherembodiment, the dimensions of each luggage piece are selected toconstitute hand luggage.

The sides and ends of one or both luggage pieces can optionally beprovided with a means for expanding the volume of the piece, such meansfor expanding luggage being well known in the art. The means forexpanding the luggage can comprise, for example, a zipper disposed aboutthe sides and ends of the luggage piece and operable connected to agusset of a deformable material formed in the sides and ends, wherebyone half of the zipper is attached to opposite edges of the gusset andclosing the zipper brings the gusset edges together with an accompanyingreduction in the volume of the luggage. The means for expanding theluggage can alternatively comprise, for example, a gusset and snaps, ora gusset and straps.

Closure 124 is preferably a zipper, but can also be any closure commonlyknown in the luggage art, such as for example, locking straps, or a flapcomprising snaps or synthetic materials that adhere when pressedtogether, commonly sold under the trademark “Velcro.” Closure 124 isdisposed within top 110 to provide access to the interior of the luggagepiece. In preferred embodiments, the closure is a zipper disposed in aU-shaped proximal to three of the four edges of the top, and mostpreferably the second 118, third 120, and fourth 122 edges.

First attachment means 126 is constructed to join the two luggage pieces102, 104 in hinging relation at the first edge 116 of each top 110. Inpreferred embodiments first attachment means 126 comprises a pair offlaps 130, 132 in which one flap is mounted to the first edge 116 ofeach top 110. The flaps are provided with complementary fasteners, suchas zippers, locking straps, snaps, eyelets and laces, Velcro, acombination of these, or the like, to detachably attach one flap to theother.

Second attachment means 134 is constructed to join the two luggagepieces 102, 104 in coplanar adjacent relation. In preferred embodiments,second attachment means 134 comprises a zipper, one side of which isattached to each luggage piece at its second 118, third 120, and fourth122 edges. Alternatively, second attachment means 134 can comprisesnaps, straps, locking clamps, flaps equipped with a Velcro, or otherfasteners commonly known in the art.

Optionally, the dividable luggage can be provided with additionalpockets and compartments upon its exterior and/or interior as desired.For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, optional elasticizedpouch 136 is provided on a top for storing a sweater, jacket, or thelike.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the dividable luggage ofthe present invention 200 in which the first 202 and second luggagepiece 204 are held in coplanar adjacent relation by second attachmentmeans 206. Handles 208, 210 are disposed to be adjacent in thisrelation, and are detachably attached by third attachment means 212,such as a strap with snaps or snaps mounted directly on the handles, aVelcro strap, or the like. Third attachment means 212 functions to forma unitary handle from the two handles 208, 210 for ease of carrying inthis relation. Optionally, one or more additional handles can beprovided in other positions to aid handling of the luggage.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the dividableluggage according to the present invention in which the first luggagepiece 302 comprises a cart 304 having a plurality of wheels 306, aretractable handle 308 for ease of pulling, handle 310 for lifting, andfeet 312 for standing. Optionally, both luggage pieces can comprise acart so that both pieces can be pulled separately. For example, a couplewould be able to pack in completely separate luggage pieces and pulleach luggage piece separately, yet be able to assemble the luggagepieces for checking the dividable luggage, for example to comply withlimitations on the total number of bags permitted to be checked.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a detached luggage piece 400 of anembodiment of the dividable luggage of the present invention. In thisembodiment, fasteners 402 are provided on the top 404 that arecomplementary to the fasteners on the flap 406 to secure flap 406 to top404 when not in use. Other means for securing flap 406 can includeproviding a placket or pocket for holding the flap 406 when in thedetached state.

FIG. 5 are isometric views of several embodiments of first attachmentmeans comprising a zipper 500, snaps 502; eyelets 504 and lacing 506,Velcro 508, locking straps 510, and connectors 512. Locking straps 510can, for example, comprise complementary male and female parts formedfrom a plastic. Connectors 512 can be in the form of eyelets andcylindrical fittings comprising a rotatable portion, wherein thecylindrical fitting is inserted into the eyelet in an extendedconfiguration, and the rotatable portion is positioned perpendicular tothe cylindrical portion to secure the two flaps together. Preferably,the flaps are joined in the manner shown so that their ends becomeenfolded within the detachable luggage when the second attachment meansis attached.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the dividable luggage 600 according to thepresent invention in which both the first luggage piece 602 and secondluggage piece 604 comprise a cart with a retractable handles 606, 608and a plurality of wheels 610, 612. Each luggage piece comprisesnon-retractable handles 614, 616 for lifting. Embodiment 600 can beseparated into its luggage pieces and each luggage piece can functionindependently as wheeled luggage. Preferably the wheels are spinnerwheels mounted on rotating mounts capable of rotation in two orthogonalaxes to facilitate turning and maneuvering.

FIG. 7 shows foldable luggage piece 700 of a dividable luggage accordingto the present invention. FIG. 7A shows the luggage piece in the form ofa garment bag in its unfolded and open state. A fastening means 702comprising two complementary parts, preferably a zipper or Velcro, isprovided on the top of the unfolded luggage piece to reversibly hold theluggage piece in its folded form. A flexible central portion 712, suchas one or more seams or a padded portion that can flex at one or moreseams, is provided at about a midpoint of the luggage piece tofacilitate folding. The luggage piece comprises closure 706 and firstfastening means 704. Optionally, a plurality of wheels 708, such asspinner wheels, and feet 710 are disposed at opposite ends of theluggage piece. The interior can be provided with convenient featuressuch as hooks for hangers 703, pockets 714, and compartments 716.

FIG. 7B shows the foldable luggage piece 700 in the folded state. Theclosure of fastening means 702 brings wheels 708 and feet 710 intoproximity. A retractable handle 720 is also provided opposite the wheelsand feet. Upon the top of the foldable luggage piece 700 are firstdetachment means 718 and second detachment means 722 for attaching to aluggage piece.

In use in tasks such as stair climbing, stowing the luggage into anautomobile, or complying with an airline weight requirement, for whichit may be desirable to separate the dividable luggage into its luggagepieces, this can be readily accomplished by detaching the first andsecond attachment means. In embodiments in which the first attachmentmeans is a flap, the flap may be secured to the side of the luggagepiece, for example as shown in FIG. 4, or within a placket or the like.

In use, the two luggage pieces of the dividable luggage can be attachedin hinging relation using the first attachment means. In this relation,the dividable luggage may be set up on a rack, bed, or the like, in themanner of a book, and the interiors of both luggage pieces can bereadily accessed. Alternatively, if space limitations or needs dictate,the luggage pieces can be fully separated.

In use for travel or storage, the dividable luggage can be put incoplanar adjacent relation using the second attachment means. In thisrelation, the dividable luggage comprises an even and continuousexterior, substantially devoid of gaps, protrusions and the like, thusreducing the likelihood that the dividable luggage will become worn ormutilated, marred, or torn during transport. This relation also obscuresthe closures within the dividable luggage, thereby reducing the risk ofcasual theft, while also providing adequate access to authorizedofficials for security screening.

The previously described versions of the present invention have manyadvantages, which include the even and continuous exteriors of both thedividable luggage and its separate luggage pieces. In the event, forexample, that the dividable luggage is found to be too heavy to bechecked with an airline, or would incur overweight penalties, theluggage pieces may be detached and checked separately.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it lacks a cumbersomebase piece of luggage, common in modular luggage designs.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the dividable luggageis readily adaptable to differing rules and standards adopted bydifferent airlines. Thus, in a trip comprising two or more legs usingdifferent airlines, the dividable luggage may be of an allowable sizeand weight as specified by the first airline, yet too large oroverweight according to a second airline. In this situation, it would bea simple matter to detach the luggage pieces for the second leg, checkthem separately, and avoid penalties. Conversely, where an airlinepermits only one checked bag, the dividable luggage can be assembled andchecked.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the dividableluggage provides two separate compartments, with two or more layers ofexterior material separating the compartments, which may be used toseparate liquids, toiletries, and other potentially damaging substancesfrom clothing. Division of the interior of the luggage pieces intofurther compartments is of course also possible, but the separation ofsuch compartments is less complete.

An additional benefit of the present invention is that the capacity ofeach luggage piece is not reduced by its attachment to the other luggagepiece in the assembled dividable luggage.

A further benefit of the present invention is that it provides a flat,stable top surface or base to support hand luggage for transport throughairports, trains, and the like.

Although the present invention has been described in considerabledetail, with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, otherversions are also possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of theappended claims should not be limited to the description of thepreferred versions contained herein.

Now that the invention has been described:

1. Dividable luggage comprising: a first and a second luggage piece eachcomprising, a pair of sides, a pair of ends, a top, a bottom, and ahandle; each said top having the same shape and comprising four edgesand a closure; each said top comprising a first attachment means at afirst edge for detachably attaching the first edges of the first andsecond luggage pieces in hinging relation; and each said top furthercomprising a second attachment means at a second, third and fourth edgefor detachably attaching the tops of the first and second luggage piecesin coplanar adjacent relation.
 2. The dividable luggage of claim 1, inwhich at least the first luggage piece further comprises a cartcomprising a plurality of wheels and a retractable handle for pullingsaid dividable luggage.
 3. The dividable luggage of claim 2, in whichboth luggage pieces comprise a cart comprising a plurality of wheels anda retractable handle for pulling said dividable luggage.
 4. Thedividable luggage of claim 1, in which the dividable luggage furthercomprises a planar upper surface when the tops of the first and secondluggage pieces in coplanar adjacent relation.
 5. The dividable luggageof claim 1, in which the first attachment means comprises a flap mountedto the first edge.
 6. The dividable luggage of claim 5 in which thefirst attachment means further comprises a zipper, straps, snaps,lacing, synthetic materials that adhere when pressed together, or acombination thereof.
 7. The dividable luggage of claim 1, in which thehandles are adjacent when the second attachment means is attached andthe handles comprise a third attachment means for detachably attachingthe handles to each other.
 8. The dividable luggage of claim 1, in whichthe first and second luggage pieces are of the same size.
 9. Thedividable luggage of claim 1, in which the combined length, width, andheight of the assembled luggage is less than 62 inches.
 10. Thedividable luggage of claim 1, in which the closure is a zipper.
 11. Thedividable luggage of claim 10, in which the zipper is a U-shaped zipper.12. The dividable luggage of claim 1, in which each said luggage pieceis hand luggage.
 13. The dividable luggage of claim 1, in which at leastone luggage piece comprises a means for expanding the volume of thepiece.
 14. The dividable luggage of claim 13, in which the means forexpanding the volume comprises one or more gussets operably connected toone or more zippers.
 15. The dividable luggage of claim 1, in which thefirst luggage piece is a foldable luggage piece.